Rubbing elbows with local artists and politicians, then taking a break for a quick Segway obstacle course—it's just another typical week in North Beach. Here are some of the events in the neighborhood worth checking out.
On Saturday, head down to the Pier 43 promenade for the fourth annual Wharf Fest Chowder Competition & Street Fair, starting at 11am. In addition to vendor booths showcasing arts, crafts and beverage samples, there's the popular chowder competition ($15 for tastings), with ten different Wharf restaurants battling for the title of the best chowder at Fisherman’s Wharf. And it wouldn't be a SF festival without some unusual activities, so if Segway obstacle courses races and mechanical bull rides are your thing, you know where to go.
The next day, travel the city for the eighth annual Passport Stamping Day, where you can support local businesses and artists by getting a passport "stamped" as you venture through the area. It costs $25 to participate, and the after party will be held at Chinatown's Hang Ah Tea Room (1 Pagoda Place).
Finally, the Barbary Coast Neighborhood Association is hosting a Sunday social hour at Barbary Coast Restaurant (478 Green St.), starting at 4pm. This free event includes happy hour drinks and appetizers, along with the chance to hear Assemblyman David Chiu and D3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin discuss several of the city and state propositions on the ballot next month.
In other local news this week, happy 50th birthday to The North Face, which opened its first store on Columbus in North Beach in 1966. (They just opened a new pop-up store, focused on urban streetwear, in Jackson Square.) Meanwhile, a new fireboat named St. Francis was commissioned this week—and third-grader Nico Rivera from SS Peter and Paul's, who won the boat's naming contest, was on hand to help christen the vessel.
Now, on to our editor's picks for the days ahead. For a full list of what's going on around town this weekend and beyond, don't forget to check our hoodline.com/events. If you see a local event missing and want to get in on the fun, submit it for free for the chance to see it featured in our next events roundup.
